The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, or BELA, has issued legal and contempt notices to 12 individuals and institutions over the deaths of nine workers at the Ferdous Steel shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram. Supreme Court lawyer and BELA chief coordinator Taslima Islam served the notices on Sunday, according to BELA Chattogram coordinator Munira Parvin Ruba.

The notices accuse three ministry secretaries, senior officials from several departments and the district administration of disregarding High Court rulings and directives. Respondents include Ferdous Steel owner Ferdous Wahid and Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers president Mohsin Chowdhury. BELA asked them to report measures taken within three days, warning of legal action against those concerned, including the yard owner, if they fail to respond.

BELA alleged that the yard imported ships from blacklisted countries despite a prohibition and cited inadequate oversight by public bodies. It said at least six similar serious accidents occurred at the same yard between 2009 and 2023. The group demanded an independent expert investigation into all deaths since 2010 through August this year, publication of findings, closure of the yard, cancellation of approvals and licences, and other measures.